masthead.jpg

switchconcepts.com, U3dpdGNo-a25, DIRECT rubiconproject.com, 14766, RESELLER pubmatic.com, 30666, RESELLER, 5d62403b186f2ace appnexus.com, 1117, RESELLER thetradedesk.com, switchconcepts, RESELLER taboola.com, switchconceptopenrtb, RESELLER bidswitch.com, switchconcepts, RESELLER contextweb.com, 560031, RESELLER amazon-adsystem.com, 3160, RESELLER crimtan.com, switch, RESELLER quantcast.com, switchconcepts , RESELLER rhythmone.com, 1934627955, RESELLER ssphwy.com, switchconcepts, RESELLER emxdgt.com, 59, RESELLER appnexus.com, 1356, RESELLER sovrn.com, 96786, RESELLER, fafdf38b16bf6b2b indexexchange.com, 180008, RESELLER nativeads.com, 52853, RESELLER theagency.com, 1058, RESELLER google.com, pub-3515913239267445, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0
April 26, 2010

Class of 2011 Coming Along

Filed under: Basketball,Recruiting — Chas @ 10:22 am

So, I was without internet starting late Friday morning. We didn’t get it back until later on Saturday. By then I had gotten rid of the shakes and other symptoms of withdrawal and focused on getting things done in the offline world. Now it is a rainy Monday, definitely time to just look online.

Last month, Coach Jamie Dixon was taking in Jaylen Bond and his high school team on their way to the PIAA AAAA runner-up.

The weekend started with his verbal to Pitt. A week after an unofficial visit to both Pitt and WVU while in Pittsburgh for the AAU Jam Fest.

“Once he saw [Pitt], that pretty much solidified it,” said Steve Bond, Jaylen’s uncle. “That’s when we knew he was serious. He wasn’t even interested in taking any other visits.”

He’s a strong kid at 6-7, and between 205 and 220 pounds. And plays both forward positions.

“He’s a big body who can run the floor, he’s very powerful in transition and very powerful around the basket,” said Plymouth Whitemarsh head coach Jim Donofrio. “And he’s a young kid. He doesn’t turn 17 until May. His strength is already pretty impressive for a high school kid. He is a power player. A lot of people have said that he looks and plays like a Pitt kid.”

While the ESPN.com/Scouts, Inc. evaluations are over a year old on Bond, one of the things that it notes about him is that he has a solid basketball IQ and a hard worker [Insider subs.].

Pitt actually envisions him playing at the small forward position in the future as he does have a developing game on the perimeter.

“They want me to play the ‘three’ there and the things I can work on is my perimeter defense and overall perimeter skills,” said Bond of his future role at Pitt.

With the verbals of Bond and John Johnson, Pitt has filled 2 of the 3 scholarship opening s for 2011 (Brad Wanamaker, Gilbert Brown and Gary McGhee). According to ESPN.com/Scouts, Inc., Pitt has 2 of the top-4 Pennsylvania recruits. Rakeem Christmas (PF, undecided) is the top PA recruit, Bond is listed at #2, Juan’ya Green (SG, udecided) #3 and Johnson is 4th.





Must have visited when the weather was nice lol.

A few Panthers signed free agent contracts to NFL teams. Aaron Berry to Lions, Malecki to Titans, Mick Williams to Jets, AND…….Stull to Chiefs.

Comment by pittjd 04.26.10 @ 10:52 am

I like the Bond pickup. He is a young kid that I am sure will start out at the 4, much like Sam did. If he grows, which many people think he still may, he could stay at the four. If not and he develops some outside touch and more of a handle, a move to the three could happen a year or so in. Either way I love the move toward longer athletic players. I have a feeling this class is going to be looked back on as a very good one. Dixon seems to be moving toward getting some potential big time scorers (JJ Moore, John Johnson, and I think Taylor will be inside, even Epps possibly). To mix with long athletic players (Cam Wright, Epps, Jaylen Bond, Zanna). Throw in a sniper or two and we are going to have some very dangerous teams in the future.

Comment by PITTapotamus 04.26.10 @ 11:19 am

bully for us! let’s get the #1 player in the state and call it a day.

Comment by johnnyrocket 04.26.10 @ 11:35 am

We need a center in the 2011 class.

Comment by Fred 04.26.10 @ 11:39 am

Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School. Home to Chicago Bulls John Salmons, Sienna’s Ronald Moore, and Pitt Blathers Todd Gack. Extremely excited to have a HS Alum on board at PITT. Saw him play in the District Championship game against the same team they beat to win states. Kid is long and raw.

Comment by Todd Gack 04.26.10 @ 12:17 pm

Off topic, but this is a really nice compliment to Greg Romeus:

link to collegefootball.rivals.com

When posed with the Question: We’re done with the 2010 NFL draft, so let’s look ahead: Who do you think will be the No. 1 pick in the 2011 draft?

Olin Buchanan’s answer: A pass rusher like Greg Romeus is always in demand in the NFL.

How awesome would it be if Pitt produced the number one overall pick in next years NFL Draft! I hope he is right.

Comment by HbgFrank 04.26.10 @ 12:36 pm

Center is still a priority for Pitt in this class. I believe they are still after and very much in play for some talented kids like Desmond Hubert (who is a good shotblocking C). I know the kid also liked Duke, not sure if he was offered, but it can’t hurt Pitt that Duke just recieved a commitment from a C in the 2011 class. Hubert would be a huge addition.

Comment by PITTapotamus 04.26.10 @ 1:02 pm

I would hope that Coach D would hold off on the final 2011 recruit for a center unless it is a 4 or 5 star can’t miss.

Comment by wbb 04.26.10 @ 4:35 pm

What is the story with Ashton Gibbs’ brother? Is Pitt recruiting him?

Comment by Boubacar AW 04.27.10 @ 8:25 am

Sterling gave a verbal to Maryland last night. Both sides cooled. Pitt has a PG in the 2011 recruiting class already with Johnson.

Comment by Chas 04.27.10 @ 8:48 am

I believe they are, but, I don’t think he is the top priorty to fill the final spot in the class. Who knows how it will end up though. I think they like him as a player, but want to add a C or a pure shooter who can fill it up.

Comment by PITTapotamus 04.27.10 @ 8:45 am

Powered by WordPress © PittBlather.com

Site Meter